Founded in 1861, Royal London is the UK’s largest mutual life-assurance, pensions and investment company. Being a mutual means it is owned by its customers and members, not external shareholders; profits are directed to customers or reinvested for their benefit rather than paid out to external owners. The business operates across three major areas: offering long-term savings solutions and pension products, providing protection (life cover, income protection, critical illness) and delivering investment management services.

Royal London emphasises a purpose-driven strategy: “Protecting today, investing in tomorrow. Together we are mutually responsible.” This purpose underlies their approach to helping customers build financial resilience, investing responsibly for the future, and maintaining the mutual business model. Their governance is aligned with that mutual purpose: since there are no shareholders demanding returns, decision-making is focused on customer interests. In short, Royal London blends insurance, pension and investment services, with a business model built around long-term value for its customer-members, rather than short-term profit for shareholders.